The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1887-08-10
MuRDERous MALAYs.
Whist the Phrase "Running Amuck" Signl
6eO In Oriental Countries.

Whist the Phrase "Runnfng Amuck" Signfs
nss In Oriental Countries.
Running amuck" is q phrase deriv.
ed from the Malay word '.amok" ("kill.
ing'') and constitutes well-marked
hysterical affection of certain races in
habiting Oriental countries. It is
rarely, ever, manifested among the
quiet-tempered Hindus, and but seldom
among the Indian Mussulmans, while
whenever it does occur in Hindostan,
the malady may generally be traced
to the abuse of opium or the extract Of
hemp called bhang, ganja, or charras.
The Hindu tobacconist sells special
confection made up Of bhang, opium,
datura, cloves, mastic, cinnamon and
cardamums, which is mixed with milk
and sugar and eaten as sweetmeat.
This diabolical cake-known as NAHUM
will drive man mad about rs soon
as any thing. With the Malays, how
ever, who have given a name to the
terrible mental alteration of which
we speak. and who are far the most
addicted to it of all Eastern people,
there is seldom any such ex-
PLANTATION of the outbreak. Sud-
denly, without rhymes or reason,
man will spring up from his shop
board or his couch, draw his kris-the
wave-bladed dagger which they all
carry-and, with scream of "Amok!
Amok!" strike its point into the heart
Of the nearest wayfarer and dart down
the crowded bazaar like the lunatic
which he is, stabbing and cutting on
ali sides. "Amok! Amok!" echoes
from hundred mouths, and every
body hurries for place of refuge.
fleeing in all directions, except those
holder spirits who snatch up weapons
of defense and join the armed throng
which pursues the desperate. The
path Of the chase is soon strewn with
bodies of men, women and children,
dead or bleeding to death, until some
lucky shot or daring thrust disables
the murderer. who is pierced with q
dozen blades as soon as he falls to the
ground. Occasionally it turns out that
the ''amoker" has received some per.
sonal affront or injury or was hope
lessly in debt or disappointed in love;
but more commonly there is nothing
whatever to account for the wild fury
of his proceedings. and the street
sweepers drag his carcass away as
carelessly as if a leopard had been
slain in the public streets. So ordinary,
indeed, is the occurrence that in many
towns and cities where there lives a
large Malay population an instru ment
is kept in readiness at every police
station called the "amoker catcher"
1t is something like an eel-spear with
q very long handle, and SO contrived
that two elastic-pointed spikes close
round the madman's neck and secure
him helplessly when the iron prongs
are pushed against his nape from be.
hind.
Neither rank nor wealth keeps a
Malay from this sudden access OF
homicidal mania if he has the predis-
position or has been greatly excited.
There was an instance at Salatiga, in
the island of Java, where the Regent
was celebrating the marriage of two
Of his daughters, and every body was
in festive and joyous mood. just,
however at the gayest moment of the
ceremonies, the Regents brother-in.
law, high official, came rushing
through the procession, stabbing
every body he could get at with his
jeweled kris. The Regent himself,
coming up to inquire into the uproar.
was killed by single thrust, and it
was tho brother of the Prince who ran
the "amoker" through the back with
spear and brought him down, yet
not before he had slaughtered nine Of
the palace people and wounded six
others more or less severely. London
Telegraph.